Report: Britain threatens to expel dozens of Israeli diplomats

Britain is threatening to expel dozens of Israeli diplomats in response to the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem. British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell secretly visited Israel in an attempt to prevent the closure, but the talks failed. Israel announced the closure of the consulate as a step against British sanctions on settlements.

Britain is threatening to expel dozens of Israeli diplomats from its territory, in response to Israel's intention to close the British consulate in East Jerusalem. This was reported by Reuters news agency. British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell secretly visited Israel last week in an attempt to prevent the closure, but talks with Israeli officials failed. Israel announced the closure of the consulate last month, as a step against the sanctions Britain imposed on settlements. According to the report, Britain is threatening that if Israel carries out its plan to expel about 30 British diplomats, Britain will respond with a similar step and expel a similar number of Israeli diplomats. The British consulate, located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, is responsible for Britain's ties with the Palestinians. In addition, Israel expelled British diplomats from the coordination center in Kiryat Gat and Ramallah, and banned 12 British public figures and citizens from entering Israel. The diplomatic crisis escalated with the entry of new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who pledged to take a tougher line towards Israel, and the declaration of Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband on sanctions against settlements.